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Tamil Nadu

Ekambareswarar Temple

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Weather details not available

Major Airports :

Chennai International Airport (MAA), Chennai

Nearest Railway Station :

Kanchipuram Railway Station (CJ)

Major Airports :

Chennai International Airport (MAA), Chennai

A divine beauty like no other

Behold the awe-inspiring architectural marvel that is Sri Ekambareswarar Temple. The huge temple complex, spanning an area of 25 acres, takes visitors to a realm where sculptures, inscriptions, hallways and pillars harmoniously meet to narrate sacred stories. The Ekambareswarar Temple is one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is associated with the element Earth or Prithvi, and more interestingly, it is also a Divya Desam, one of the 108 most sacred temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple building underwent several changes under the rule of different kings and dynasties. The Pallavas, Cholas, and the Vijayanagara - all made significant and unique contributions to the architecture of this temple.

Discover the majestic temple

The temple complex, known to be one of the largest in India, provides a deeply transformative spiritual experience.  One cannot help but be astounded  by its majestic gateway towers, which include a  remarkable 11-storey southern tower. Marvel at the  elaborate sculptures, and, the ancient inscriptions, and don’t miss the thousand-pillared hall that traces its origins to the Vijayanagara period.

A spiritual haven with rich history

The temple is believed to have been built around  600 CE, and expanded during the reign of the  Chola and Vijayanagara kings. The sanctum sanctorum, houses a venerated lingam and an image  of Lord Shiva. The Sahasra Lingam, has been assembled out  of 1,008 intricately crafted lingams. Every year, in the months of March and April, the Panguni Brahmotsavam, a ten-day festival takes place here. The Panguni Brahmotsavam is the most important and popular temple festival celebrated in the city. It spans over 10 days, during which all the presiding deities and the 63 Nayanmars are taken on a procession. The festival concludes with Kalyanotsavam or the marriage festival, where the wedding of Ekambareshwar and Parvati is enacted. 

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Timings

Opening time - 06:00 AM - 12:30 PM

& 04:00 PM - 08:30 PM

A temple steeped in history

It is said that originally this was a small shrine, possibly a wooden structure built by Pallava king Mahendra Varman in about circa 600 CE. This is the earliest authentic record of the temple.

In the 7th century, King Mahendra Varman Pallava I built this temple as a brick and stone structure with a black granite hall in front. Later in the 9th century, the Cholas rebuilt this temple. There are many inscriptions here which speak of the gifts given by the Chola Kings to this temple. They constructed a full-fledged granite temple with a 100 pillared hall and multiple Praharams or walkways around the main shrine.

Krishna Devaraya, the greatest of the Vijayanagara kings built this massive 9 storeyed Gopuram, that is over 192 feet tall, as late as 1509 CE. The figures of the King and his queen can still be seen on it. This dynasty also built the outermost walkway, called the 5th Praharam, and added a majestic hall with 1000 pillars along this path.

Discover nearby places

Explore the Kamakshi Amman Temple in Kanchipuram, a shrine dedicated to the fearsome goddess  Kamakshi, who is considered the supreme embodiment of Goddess Parvati and holds the position of  the primary deity in the city.

Embark on a magical pilgrimage to Thiruvalangadu, a sacred enclave located in close proximity to Kanchipuram. Thiruvalangadu offers an opportunity to witness the cosmic magnificence of Lord Shiva at the dazzling Sri Vadaranyeswarar Temple, where legends around his celestial dance abound.

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